Dry Cell Membranes

How it Works

Hopefully this information will help advance Dry Cell Technology. A few experimenters are using Nylon Monofilament Mesh to divide water chambers into 2 areas; one for hydrogen and one for oxygen. To get an idea of how this is done, watch the videos below. Notice that they are using 2 gaskets between each set of plates. The Nylon Mesh is inserted between the two gaskets (Red line in the picture above). The mesh keeps the Hydrogen on one side, and the Oxygen on the other side. There are special slots in the gaskets for channeling the gases to separate gas output ports. Instead of HHO coming out of one port, Hydrogen and Oxygen have their own ports. Watch the videos and you will get a better idea of how this works. The method was used by in the early 1900's.

Gas Outlet Ports

Notice the gas outlet port on the left. There is a slot cut in the gasket so that the gases on that side of the nylon membrane can escape through the hole. The other side of that hole looks like the hole on the far right. The gasket seals that hole so that gases can not enter on the other side (mix). The membrane separates the gases. The slots in the gasket pass or block the gases; keeping them separated. By alternating the slots, gases can be collected and kept separated. This method can be traced back to, before, the year 1919.

I have tested this method of separation, and it does separate the gases quite well. It also allows the water to refill the chambers. It easily passes through the membrane. It is also important to note that backpressure can cause the gases to mix. That means, we need to make it as easy as possible for the gases to escape through the holes, and also through their respective bubblers. Pressures should be the same in both bubblers. That means the water levels need to be the same. So, it may be necessary to equalize the water levels via a hose between them.

In the picture above, there is a flaw in the gasket shape. It is the small area at the top, to the left and right of the holes. Gases can collect there; you don't want that. If they collect there, it is possible for them to leak through the membrane material and mix on the opposite side of the membrane. We are trying to avoid mixing.

Each of the Outlet Holes is dedicated to only allowing one gas to pass through it. As the gases are made, they rise to the top; the membrane guides them. They are blocked from entering one hole, and allowed to enter the other. This process is repeated as additional electrode plates are added. In the next picture that follows, I am holding a gasket assembly. It consists of the membrane sandwiched between 2 identically cut gaskets. The gaskets are turned to face opposite directions. One faces to the front, the other to the back, so that the "Cut out Slots" are on opposite ends. If you build and assemble your gaskets, individually, like this, then it is almost impossible to make a mistake when you start assembling the layers of plates. Keep the tops on top and the bottoms on the bottom. The sides will always match up.

Membrane Materials being used:

Polyester Monofilament Mesh (works with Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH)
Nylon Monofilament Mesh (works with Potassium Hydroxide, KOH)
Silkscreen Mesh, T165
Uncoated Rip-Stop Nylon
Silk Use a very fine mesh as used for silk screen printing, the fines tthat you can get, at least 300T

About mesh size: Mesh size is measured by how many threads of mesh there are crossing per square inch. For instance, a 165 mesh screen has 165 threads crossing per square inch. The higher the mesh count, the finer the threads and holes are in the screen.

160 to 225 cross-counts are recommended, but any count higher than that will work; 400,500; etc.

The mesh forms a thin wall that allows the water to pass through it, but not the bubbles. The H and O ions pass through the water, cross the membrane, and form the gas on the electrode plate they are attracted to (positive or negative). The Hydrogen stays on the negative side of the membrane wall, and the oxygen stays on the positive side. The mesh is a dividing wall; it forms/separates two chambers. The gases rise to the top of their respective side of the chamber, and collect at the top. They escape through the hole in the electrode plate; so, it is very important to make holes in the mesh that match up with the holes in the plates. Cut out holes for the water and for the gas. If you do not, back pressure will be created, and that could cause the gases to mix. The gases take the path of least resistance.

Mesh material can be obtained from Fabric shops, Silkscreen shops, Ebay.com, amozon.com, Tent repair shops; etc.

1 Millimeter = 1 000 Micrometers
Millimeter is a metric unit and equal to one thousandth of a meter. Spelled as millimetre in most of the countries. Used widely to measure small distances in engineering and machining. The abbreviation is "mm".

Micrometer is a metric unit and usually used for precise measurement of small distances in engineering and machining. The abbreviation is "µm".

Gasket Material: